Paper 191 Overview: Appearances to the Apostles and Other Leaders

Resurrection Sunday was difficult for the apostles who stayed hidden in an upper room, afraid and uncertain. During this time, Jesus appeared to many individuals and groups including Peter, the ten apostles, morontia creatures on Urantia, and believers in Philadelphia. These appearances gave hope and new purpose to his followers.

After Jesus rose from the dead, he made sixteen different appearances to his followers over forty days. His appearances encouraged the disciples to continue his work of sharing the gospel message. Each appearance strengthened their faith and prepared them for their future work of spreading his teachings throughout the world.

On Resurrection Sunday, ten apostles stayed hidden behind locked doors, fearing arrest by Jewish authorities. Thomas was alone in Bethpage, brooding over his troubles. Throughout the day, the apostles struggled with doubts and fears about what had happened to Jesus, even though the women had told them he had risen.

John maintained Jesus had risen, reminding the others of Jesus' predictions about his resurrection. Peter went back and forth between belief and doubt, while James, Nathaniel, Andrew, Simon Zelotes, Philip, Matthew, and the Alpheus twins reacted in different ways. Jesus purposely delayed appearing to all the apostles together because he wanted Peter to work through his difficulties and wanted Thomas to be present for his first group appearance.

Around 8:30 Sunday evening, Jesus made his eighth morontia appearance to Simon Peter in the garden of Mark's home. Peter had been feeling guilty and doubtful since his denial of Jesus. He feared his presence might be preventing Jesus from appearing to the other apostles.

As Peter stood in the garden declaring his belief in the resurrection, Jesus appeared before him. Jesus spoke lovingly to Peter, forgiving him and encouraging him to stop thinking about himself and instead focus on spreading the gospel. After Jesus vanished, Peter rushed to tell the others he had seen and talked with the Master, though Andrew warned the others not to be influenced by his brother's report.

Shortly after 9 o'clock that evening, Jesus made his ninth morontia appearance to the ten apostles gathered in the upper chamber. He suddenly appeared in their midst, saying "Peace be upon you" and questioning why they were frightened and still doubting despite the reports they had heard. He reminded them of his predictions about his death and resurrection.

Jesus instructed the apostles to have faith in God and in each other as they entered the new service of the kingdom of heaven. He promised to meet them in Galilee after they were all together again, including Thomas who was not present. After leaving them with his peace, Jesus vanished instantly, and the apostles fell on their faces in worship.

Monday was spent entirely with the morontia creatures present on Urantia. More than one million morontia directors and associates, along with transition mortals from the mansion worlds, had come to participate in Jesus' morontia-transition experience. Jesus spent forty days with these intelligent beings, learning about morontia life.

Around midnight, Jesus' morontia form was adjusted to the second stage of morontia progression. As he advanced through the seven stages of morontia progression, it became more difficult for mortal eyes to see him. By May 14th, he had completed his service of universe experience and entered the embrace of the Most Highs of Edentia.

The tenth appearance of Jesus happened shortly after 8 o'clock on Tuesday, April 11, at Philadelphia. He appeared to Abner, Lazarus, and about one hundred and fifty of their associates, including more than fifty members of the evangelistic corps of the seventy. This happened during a special meeting called to discuss Jesus' crucifixion and the reports of his resurrection.

Jesus appeared suddenly between Abner and Lazarus and spoke to the gathered believers. He reminded them that they have one Father in heaven and one gospel of the kingdom - the good news of eternal life received by faith. He encouraged them to serve and love others as he had loved them, to be wise in how they present the gospel to different peoples, and promised that his peace would remain with them.

Thomas spent a lonely week in the hills around Olivet before being found by two apostles who brought him back on Saturday, April 15. Despite hearing the stories of Jesus' appearances, Thomas refused to believe, maintaining that Peter had excited the others into thinking they had seen the Master. Nathaniel tried to reason with him but could not convince him.

During an evening meal the next day, Thomas declared he would not believe unless he saw Jesus with his own eyes and touched his wounds. Suddenly, Jesus appeared inside the curve of the table directly in front of Thomas. Jesus invited Thomas to believe, not just because he could now see and hear him, but to have faith even without physical proof. Thomas fell to his knees, exclaiming, "My Lord and my Master!" Jesus then instructed them all to go to Galilee where he would appear to them again.

While the eleven apostles were traveling to Galilee, Jesus made his twelfth morontia appearance to Rodan and about eighty other believers in Alexandria on Tuesday evening, April 18. This happened at the conclusion of a messenger's report about the crucifixion. As Nathan of Busiris finished telling what he had heard, Jesus appeared in full view of everyone.

Jesus spoke to the group about how the gospel of the kingdom belongs to all people, not just to a specific race, nation, or group of teachers. He emphasized the importance of loving one another with a new and startling affection, just as he had loved them. He commissioned them to carry the good news to all the world, promising that the Spirit of Truth would come upon them and that he would be with them always.